The Martinsville Branch of the Blue Ridge Regional Library recently started a walking club to promote fitness and community among library patrons.
According to the club facilitator and library circulation assistant Kayla Webb, the club will meet each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library.
“It’s not going to be anything strenuous, we’re just going to walk around uptown. Maybe a mile to and from,” said Webb.
Club participants will meet in the library meeting room and start out with light stretches to warm up. In the event of rain or bad weather, exercise will be held in the meeting room. The indoor exercises will also be low impact.
“No Olympic training here,” laughed Webb.
Library Program Coordinator Leandio Gravely noted that previous fitness programs that had been offered by the library ceased due to the emergence of Covid-19.
The walking club “is low impact and a great way for people to socialize with people in the community and meet new people,” said Gravely. “Our cost is amazing. It’s free.”
Gravely and Webb emphasized that the program is a way to get people excited about coming to the library again.
“We’re moving out of the pandemic, it’s not completely over, but we’re trying to move forward,” Gravely said, and added that many seniors that frequent the library have lost their spouses and they come in to meet people. Programs are a great way for patrons to connect with others.
The walking club is open for 12 participants and there are still some spaces available. Individuals that sign up will receive a welcome kit containing the following items:
Walking club informational packet
Blue Ridge Regional Library drawstring tote
Walking log (to track personal progress)
Blue Ridge Regional Library Ink pen
Bottle of water
Interested individuals can visit the Martinsville library or call them at (276) 403-5430 to get additional information or to sign-up for the club. If anyone would like information on the health benefits of walking, the library has books available for checkout on the subject matter.
